Bio

Apalla Chopra is Co-Chair of O’Melveny’s Litigation Department and leads the firm’s Colleges and Universities Industry Group. Apalla also formerly served as Co-Chair of the Labor and Employment Practice and on the firm’s Policy Committee. She specializes in litigating complex multi-plaintiff and class action discrimination and wage and hour cases. Her experience is broad as she has represented clients in cases regarding employee allegations of invasion of privacy, wrongful discharge, and discrimination based on age, race, gender, national origin, physical handicap, and related matters. Apalla also conducts independent investigations into high profile allegations of employee misconduct on behalf of companies, boards and special committees. She has represented clients in traditional labor matters under the National Labor Relations Act and Educational Employment Relations Act, and has experience negotiating collective bargaining agreements and executive employment contracts. In addition, Apalla is among a handful of lawyers colleges and universities turn to for their most complex and high profile legal challenges, including Title IX and Clery Act investigations and follow-on litigation into their handling of sexual assault allegations. Apalla’s industry experience is likewise broad, as she has represented companies in the biotechnology, manufacturing, utility, health, retail, hospitality, private and public schools, and entertainment sectors. Apalla has represented both employers and amici in many significant trial court and appellate cases, including Chindarah v. Pick Up Stix, Inc., 171 Cal. App. 4th 796 (2009); Alch v. Superior Court, 122 Cal. App. 4th 339 (2004); Thomas v. Bristol Farms, Inc., 2003 Cal. App. Unpub. LEXIS 11024 (2003); Wynn v. NBC, 234 F. Supp. 2d 1067 (C.D. Cal. 2002); and Fanaka v. Warner Bros., 2000 US Dist. LEXIS 19078 (2000). Apalla has been lauded a “Rainmaker” by Diversity & the Bar, “Labor & Employment Firm Attorney of the Year” by the Los Angeles Business Journal, and a “Woman Worth Watching” by Diversity Journal. She has repeatedly been recognized by Chambers USA and Legal500 as a leading lawyer and has also been named by the Daily Journal as one of the Top 100 lawyers in California, a top Labor and Employment lawyer, and a top woman lawyer.